FOREIGN petty traders at Kariakoo market in Dar es Salaam are going on with business as usual despite a recent order by the Deputy Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu, to leave within a month or risk deportation.

The traders who are mainly from China, pretend to be conducting wholesale business but the investigation conducted by the 'Daily News' established that they are selling their merchandise on retail.

"These people are using their home factories to fabricate commodities that we sale to our customers and since it is not easy to find out the difference many people fall in a trap as such goods are sold at low prices.
"We are worried because as time passes, customers will boycott indigenous shops," said David Sanga, a local trader in the area.

Mr Sanga presented to this reporter a pair of original and immitated ladies shoes, which looked quite similar.

"Foreigners are the ones selling fake or immitated items," he said.

There are reports that most of the foreign traders claim that they entered the country with proper documents through the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC).

"I just don't know how these traders came in the country and we (TIC) are not responsible because we normally deal with big investments, not opening retail shops at Kariakoo," said TIC chief Emmanuel Ole Naiko when asked to comment.

He, however, said that he suspected those in Kariakoo to be wives and husbands of some contractors or investors who are in the country.

Earlier this month, Mr Nyalandu toured the area and expressed concern over reports that thousands of foreigners were engaged in petty trade.

"Each country has its own laws which must be observed. We cannot allow foreigners in petty businesses," he said.

The deputy minister said the axe would also fall on those officials assisting or allowing in foreigners.